Witcher 3 Walks: Skellige: Mountain Pass

Blandare, Fayrlund and Rannvaig Mountain Pass

Breif Description: Stunning stroll around the vast mountain range on Skellige mainland, and it's surrounding villages including Blandare, Fayrlund and Rannvaig.

Time: 10 min at a run, with no stops for fighting, looting or sightseeing
             20 min - 1 hour with stops, village tours, fighting and sightseeing

Difficulty: Level 15 minimum. Level 20 recommended; likely to encounter Wyvern.

Today's beautiful walk begins in Blandare. The village itself is fairly bare and dull, though a few traders can be found in the area. This being said, this route brings us through two more pleasant villages, plus one additional optional village, on our way around the mountain.

We begin at the signpost in Blandare, next to Cedric the Horn Hat Man. Head out of town on the road and turn right as you reach a large fork. This road should take you past the mountain, on your right, and past a vast lake on your left.

As you go, keep an eye out for a large dead tree on the left, after it, you are likely to run into a bandit camp on the right, which is easily cleared with one's sword. The bandits are Level 12, and fall like great logs. After the camp, continue down the road. You will soon enter part of a local

horse race-track, which you will follow cross-country towards Fyresdal.

After a second but smaller lake on the right, you should reach a large junction. You must turn right here, underneath the racing flags, towards the ruined palisade. Before you reach the palisade wall, be aware of the prowling wolves and the local wyvern which patrols the skies.

Once you arrive at the palisade, the remainder your journey should be a more peaceful one, with only a handful of wolves left to contend with. Pass through the palisade wall and continue down the road towards the fishing village of Fyresdal. This section is particularly watery, and you will need to cross a number of small streams along the way, so be cautious along this stretch. This road is a long one, with no turns for some time, though the views on the right-hand-side make for a beautiful walk.

When you eventually reach a small
bridge, cross it, taking note of the village of Fyresdal on the left. Fyresdal is not scheduled as part of the walk, though feel free to turn left at the junction should you want to visit. Otherwise, bear right towards Fayrland, and the huge mountain range beyond it.

As you travel, you should notice the huge siege-tower on the right. Although this once was mobile, it's rusted bearings and decaying structure confine it to it's current location, where it can be seen for miles around. Continue past the tower, and a second tower should soon materialize in the distance. As you get closer, it will become apparent that this is not in fact a tower, but rather a pile of rocks; a monument and popular picnic spot for praying warriors. Continue past the monument, downhill, along a lengthy winding path.

You should then arrive at a crossroads, marked with fools parsley. Take a left here up the hill. Shortly, this path will become hard to follow, and will eventually appear to end. Nevertheless, continue your trajectory through a handful of trees, and another path will become visible. Join it by turning right, taking you downhill into the woods.

From here, you can see across the whole island, and the starting place of Blandare is precisely withinin your line of sight, though hidden by the edge of the mountain range. Continue along the woody cliff top towards Fayrlund. The path may appear to end after passing a tree-stump, but continue on valiantly, and the path will soon re-appear. On the way into Fayrlund, you are likely to run into some unsavory business about dead peasants and monsters, but please save this drama until after your stroll has concluded.

Cross the small wooden bridge into the village, and bear left past the blacksmith's shop, where the bridge to Kaer Trolde can be seen distantly. Then, turn right towards the fishing port of Rannvaig, a lonely tree on the edge of the cliff will tell you that you are in the correct place. Shortly, turn left onto the heavily-guarded road to Rannvaig and then sharply left again at the bottom of the hill.

Continue down-hill towards the coast of Rannvaig, and then turn right to walk along the beach there. On exiting the village, keep right, past the sign post, and then continue up the path towards yet another fork. At this fork, take the left option and then turn right at the following crossroads. Amble along this path, towards the distant mountain range. On the left, you will notice another fishermen's camp at the waters edge, which may require cleansing of bandits before becoming peaceful. Continue straight and true at the next crossroads towards our destination: Blendare

Take the path's right fork, past a cow shed and enter Blandare village.

You have now completed the Skellige mainland walk around the vast mountain range!

Witcher 3 Walks: Velen: Downwarren & Crookback Bog

Downwarren & CrookBack Bog

Breif Description: Gentle walk covering Downwarren, Crookback Bog, Ancient Oak and Ruined Tower.

Time: 5 min at a run, no stops, no monster killing.
            15-40min with stops, looting and monster killing.

Difficulty: Level 15 minimum (not strict). Level 20 recommended.

Starting position: Downwarren sign post.

Today's journey begins at Downwarren;  it's a miserable place but it only features for a couple of seconds during today's walk. From the signpost, head uphill towards the village. The path here forks, and you want to take the left path towards the first house.

Once in Downwarren, take a left, marked by the hanging man (don't worry, he's just a decoration...) This path takes you up the hill, to the highest ground we'll cover today before descending into the murky Crookback bog. Continue along here until you reach a fast flowing river. Sadly, no bridge has been built here yet, but the water is narrow enough to be jumped if necessary.


Head straight on, and you'll find a broken bridge. The bridge currently awaits repair, and will need
to be jumped. This spot affords a fantastic view of the bog below, and the infamous bald mountain is also visible in the distance.

You should next arrive at a small fork, marked by a rock on the left. For now, you want to continue right, uphill, since the left path becomes a dead end. Along this stretch, there is the potential to run into a wyvern; lower level people may want to sprint here for a short while.

Continue along the path until you arrive at yet another fork, this time marked with a tree-stump. This location marks the start of our decent into Crookback Bog. Take a left here, therefore, down the hill towards the marshland. As you descend, expect company: drowners tend to occupy the next mile or so. You may wish to move swiftly onward without engaging, or alternatively, defeat the beasts in order for a more peaceful walk in the long run. Whatever you decide, take care, as the paths here become ambiguous and, at times, difficult to follow.

Cross a series of small wooden platforms as you continue through the bog. Detours may be necessary at times in order to avoid patches of water. As you go, prepare to face additional drowners and perhaps a foglet, though no real threat is posed by either. As you pass though this area, you should happen across a few ruined buildings, which were claimed by the marsh some time ago. No real loot can be found here, though a quick search may be worth your while. While passing the ruined buildings, look out for a triangular wooden structure ahead of you. As you approach it, you should notice that it is decorated by the skull of a moose. This particular moose was named Charles, and died on this very spot. When you reach Charles, look to the right and head across the small bridge there, casting igni as you do, since the gasses here are unpleasant.

Continue roughly straight on, heading towards more buildings which should now be distantly visible. When you arrive at the buildings, feel free to explore, though be extremely cautious as this is the rumored home of the beautiful crones of the bog! The tallest building on the left is the one of most interest, as it contains an unnerving tapestry, and small looting opportunities. When finished in the village, head between the two largest buildings, behind which you should see a large, gnarled tree. There are no paths here for a short while, though these directions should guide you safely through the area.

Continue past the tree, wading through the water as you do. On the opposite bank of this boggy water, you should see a small fallen tree through a distinct clearing in the greenery. Head towards this tree and, if you are in the right place, you should notice Morley Arrow growing near by. Here, there is the threat of attack from Endregas and Arachas Workers, though if you move quickly, they may be avoided.

(The Ancient Oak)

Now, cast your eyes up and to the right; you should see a large oak tree rising above all others. Head towards it, keeping to the right, away from the water. Shortly, you should notice a small but steep rocky hill. Climb up it, and continue along the top of the miniature cliff-edge, all the time heading for the ancient Oak. When you reach the tree, you may find more Workers, which should be defeated should you want to explore properly. Here, there is the opportunity to venture underneath the Ancient Oak, and explore the underworld there. Otherwise, continue past the base of the tree, and you should see a path crossing your field of view.

Join the path by turning left, as we begin to return towards Downwarren.  Head straight on, keeping to the left of the path. Eventually, you will find a rank corpse on the path. Leave this be (as it's mine), and continue forwards for a few paces where you will discover a shrine. Here, a handful of oreons may be looted. Once done, double back the way you came, and take the left fork at the corpse.

Continue on through the woods. Next, you will happen across another fork in the path, next to a small rock on the right. Keep to the right here, as the left option will most likely lead you into trouble with yet more Arachas Workers.

(Optional - ruined tower)

A short distance from here, you should find a larger fork in the path. You need to take the left path towards Downwarren. If you wish, you may explore the Ruined Tower on your left, which is a short way off the path. Beware though, an Earth Elemental stands guard here, and stands strong at Level 25 (Whatever that means). Otherwise, continue on back into the marshlands.


The path is more distinct here, and you should pass yet more abandoned buildings. Loot at will here, but be discreet as more drowners and other nasties lurk here.

After the buildings, take a left through a small gap in the stone wall. Ahead of you is the signpost where the walk began, and you have now safely explored the vast expanse of Crookback Bog.